The Soldier Next Door (7 page)

“Would you grab the blankets from my bed?” He looked at her with desperate eyes.

She ran upstairs, gathered the blankets, and brought them back down. Mason was rubbing each fawn with his shirt. Then she noticed something peculiar taking place. Obviously trained in first aid, he checked their breathing and listened to their hearts every few minutes while briskly rubbing their coats dry. But he’d passed the point of tending an animal. She could tell that he clearly thought the baby deer were fallen soldiers. His expression was gravely serious. He worked furiously. Unwavering determination hardened the lines of his face.

He wasn’t about to let these men die. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Hang in there, buddy,” he told the fawns, then glanced up at her. “Call the medics. Tell them we have two men down and we need a chopper.”

For an instant, she froze, not knowing what to do.

“Kool, now, we need those medics now. Buddy, pull your shit together.”

She whipped out her cell phone and dialed 911, then walked a few feet away, but kept a close eye on Mason and the deer. “I need a State Trooper, someone from animal control or a paramedic,” she told the operator. After giving quick details and confirming the address, she laid her phone on a chair. “Help is on the way.” She knelt beside him. The babies looked so precious, dark in color with tiny white spots.

“Help me keep them warm,” he handed her a blanket. “Where are those fucking Apaches? These guys won’t last long in this condition.”

They wrapped the fawns in comforters from his bed and sat on the floor, holding them on their laps.

“Nobody dies, right?” His eyes met hers. Not a hint of recognition shone in those questioning brown eyes.

“Nobody dies,” she said.

Less than an hour passed before activity could be heard outside. Mason placed his fawn on her lap and belly crawled to the door. Once convinced the area was safe, he stood up and peeked out the door.

“In here, guys, I have two men down.”

Sydnie recognized the same State Trooper from her incident with Ben. A wave of embarrassment washed over her.
What will he think this time? I’m in a different house with the same man, only this time I’ve got two baby deer on my lap.

“We’ll take them from here,” the trooper told Mason, then he approached her. “I’ve known Mason a long time. We graduated together. I’ll take care of these deer. The game commissioner is waiting outside. We didn’t want to rush the place and set him off.”

“I take it that you’ve been called here before.” She gently laid the babies in his arms.

“Many times.”

“Thank you.” She whisked tears from her cheeks.

“I saw the truck. Are you okay? Do you need medical attention?”

“No, thank you. I was wearing my seatbelt.”

He gave her an approving smile, then walked past Mason with a nod before leaving the house.

Sydnie collapsed into a chair and sobbed. No force in nature could have held back her tears this time. With her head in her hands, she wept uncontrollably. After the vehicles outside drove away, Mason closed the door and came to her side.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” he knelt beside the chair. His delusional state evidently passed by the seeking tone in his voice.

“What’s wrong? What’s wrong?” She stared in disbelief. “I’m not cut out for war.”

“Hey,” he said in a soft voice while petting her hair. “Every soldier has a bad day. But we never quit and we never accept defeat.”

She brushed his hand away and stood up. “Well while you’re in a sober and sane state of mind, think about that the next time you go on a suicide mission!” With that, she stomped across the room and out the door.

This was the most hellish night she’d endured since her marriage. Despite her strong feelings for this man, she simply did not know if she could take anymore.

Sunlight flooded the room before Sydnie was ready to face the day. Before falling into bed the night before, she’d showered and left a message on her boss’s voicemail to request some personal time off. She’d have to work extra on her freelance jobs to make up for the missed pay, but she knew she could do it. Her traumatic night with Mason left her utterly sapped and out of touch. She had no desire to deal with people anytime soon.

She wondered if this is how he felt every day. The hell he lived in became very real to her.
Is great sex worth all of this?
Yet in her heart, she knew it was more than fabulous sex that drew her to the man next door. Even now, those warm caring eyes haunted her mind. She couldn’t seem to get him out of her head. He’d made a lasting imprint on her soul that she’d never forget even if they went separate ways.

If only he’d quit drinking,
she thought.
Maybe his meds would actually work.
A chime on her phone interrupted her thoughts. She read the text.

Hey, baby doll, I’m sorry about last night. I called my buddy on the police force. He said the deer survived the night. I wanted to know if you’d ride up with me to see them. I’ll be back later. I’m going up to get an insurance estimate on the truck.

She sighed and rolled onto her stomach, burying her face in a pillow.
What should I do?

Chapter Six

“I’m glad you decided to come.” Mason looked over with an engaging smile while driving his truck.

“I want to know if the fawns are going to survive. They were so precious. I’ve never held a baby deer.”

“Is that the only reason you rode along?”

Sydnie stared out the passenger side window. He was driving normally today. She sensed him reaching.
Is he wondering if he scared me away?
They had never discussed their tempestuous relationship. The opportunity hadn’t presented itself amidst the whirlwind of events.

“I enjoy being with you,” she finally replied, turning her head his way. “Last night was extreme.”

“I really like you, baby, but I’ll understand if you can’t handle my demons.” And there it was again—the adorable expression of innocence laced with undeniable allure—the look she could not resist.

“Can we talk about this later? I’m not comfortable having a serious discussion while you’re driving.”

“Afraid I’ll snap again?”

“The thought crossed my mind.” She let out a nervous sigh. “Honestly, I’m not sure what scares me more…your dark side or the fact I cannot stay away from you.”

He didn’t respond. They rode the rest of the way to the state game lands in silence. When they pulled up to a huge metal gate, Mason presented his Military ID to the guard. They were waved into what looked like a reserved area for official personnel only. All the parked cars had marked license plates and most bore an insignia on the side of the door. There were even a couple State Police cars in the lot.

“How did you get them to let us in here?”

“One of the cops is a buddy of mine,” he replied matter-of-fact-like.

“Let me guess…the cop you ran over?”

Mason gave a short laugh. “Yeah, you remember.”

“Hard to forget anything about you.” She couldn’t withhold a smile.

A different guard escorted them into a brick building. They followed him to the very rear where a small makeshift zoo had been erected. On a thick layer of straw laid the fawns. Heat lamps hung above the pen at every corner. A woman dressed in uniform was kneeling on the floor bottle-feeding the babies. Sydnie covered her mouth with one hand in awed silence, watching through teary eyes.

In walked a State Trooper. “You’re still around after last night, hm?” He smiled. “I’m Officer Troy. I heard about what happened.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Sydnie Parks, Mason’s neighbor.”

He nodded politely. “This could only happen to Mason. Rarely do wildlife babies survive something like this. The fawns were full term and somehow escaped the trauma. Wildlife officials said both are in good condition and are expected to live. Mason’s quick thinking saved them.”

“I’ve never seen a man administer CPR on an animal.”

The officer grinned. “Not sure any of us have.”

“What will happen to them? It would be sad if they ended up back in the hunting field after fighting for their lives.”

“Everyone around here is calling them
Mason’s Miracle
. God knows he deserves one. But the details will not be in the news. People are not supposed to take matters into their own hands for many different reasons. They should call for help and wait for proper authorities.”

“Is he going to get fined?”

“No, you called quickly. We understand the situation.”

“So what will they do with the deer?”

“There is a private wildlife reserve about fifty miles north that specializes in fundraising. The game commission made plans to take them there when they are strong enough. Mason’s miracle twins will be part of an animal awareness program to raise funds for endangered wildlife. These lucky little souls will live on protected land while becoming accustomed to human interaction. ”

“Aw, that is wonderful news…I can’t believe they survived. Last night was crazy.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it. This truly was a miracle.” Officer Troy gave Mason a friendly slap on the back. “What do you think, buddy? Ready to slow that truck of yours down yet?”

Mason stood with both arms folded across his chest, staring intently at the deer. “Yeah…I got lucky this time. They didn’t die.”

“You can visit them whenever you want. I’ll let you know when they’re transferred to the private reserve.”

“Thanks, man.”

They walked with Officer Troy back to the parking lot. He and Mason took a brief trip down memory lane, shared a few laughs, then parted company. She climbed into the truck. Mason closed the door behind her.

“Fucking amazing, isn’t it?” He smiled from the driver’s seat.

“Yes, it really is. I don’t know anyone who would do what you did.”

“I never leave a fallen comrade.”

“You see animals as friends?”

“When they aren’t food, yeah, I love animals. I’d never hurt one to be cruel.”

His soft side surprised her. Everything about him seemed to surprise her. He was like a Jack-in-the-box. She never knew when he’d spring into action.

An enchanting full moon had inched into a clear night sky by the time he parked in his driveway.

“I’m going to spend a quiet night at home tonight,” she told him.

Disappointment shadowed his face. “I was hoping you’d come in and have something to eat with me.”

“Thank you, but I’m not very hungry.”

“A movie?” He arched persuasive brows.

“Mason…” She gave him a pleading look.

“Just one movie.”

“Okay. One movie. No sex. And no zombie tactics. Promise?”

He laughed but nodded nonetheless. “I swear. I won’t scare you tonight.”

They walked inside. His house smelled incredibly fresh as always and was spotless. “I wish I could achieve this level of neatness in my place.”

“Your house is great, warm, and inviting like you.” He took her jacket and hung it on a wooden coat rack.

She sat on the couch while he meandered around the house, turning on a few lights and rattling about in the kitchen. He returned to the living room with two vodka coolers in one hand and a small box in the other.

“I thought you only drank when you got nervous. It’s just us here.” She gave him an admonishing look.

“I am nervous.” He offered her a bottle, but she waved it off.

“Why?”

After placing his bottle on a coaster, he sat beside her. “I want to ask you something. I bought you a present today while I was out.”

“But you can’t do this without a drink?”

A warring expression flickered in his eyes. “I’ll just have one.”

Gently, she reached for the bottle. “I am flattered that you bought me a gift. However, I cannot accept it unless we establish a few ground rules.”

“Here comes the breakup-let’s-be-friends speech.” He sighed, then chugged half the contents of a twelve-ounce bottle. “I scare you.”

“Hell yes, you scare me, but you’re way off base about the breakup speech.” Her fingers wrapped around his bottle. “I’m crazy about you, but I like you better sober.”

Their eyes met. He searched hers with an intensity that felt alarming. She sensed he’d learned to read people very well.

“You’re right,” he said after a few tense moments. “It’s time I quit this shit.”

“Then start now, give me the bottle.”

The sweetest expression she’d ever seen swept across his strong facial features as he handed over that bottle. She walked to the kitchen and dumped it down the sink. He stood right behind her.

“Dump it all. I don’t need it anymore.” He opened the refrigerator door.

“Are you serious?”

“Fuck yeah. I need to straighten my ass up.”

Together they poured every drop of liquor from his kitchen down the drain. His willingness to go sober right then impressed and thrilled her.

“Are you going to run out and buy more when I go home?”

“No. I’m done with it.”

Impulsively, she threw her arms around his neck in a fierce hug. He hugged her back, sweeping long muscular arms up her back. They stood there in a deeply tender embrace for endless minutes. She breathed in the scent of him, clinging to the genuine affection he extended.

When they eased apart, he placed a light lingering kiss on her lips, then led her back to the sofa. “Now will you accept what I bought for you?”

She opened the box. “It’s a ring.” Staring at him with wide eyes, she fell at a loss for words.

“It’s not an engagement ring,” he quickly stated. “I know it’s way too soon for that.” He lifted a very pretty black onyx stone mounted on a lovely silver band from the box. “I feel connected to you, Sydnie. You have more guts than any woman I’ve known. Will you accept this ring as my promise to never surrender?”

“What do you mean?”

Warmth flooded his eyes. “Last night…the noose…today I got rid of it. You really hung in there with me and I don’t want to lose you. It’s okay that you cried. I can’t believe how hard you fought to stop me and I was shocked as hell that you got in the truck. Why did you? I could’ve killed you.”